StandardAero Business Aviation spreads its wings at Augusta Regional Airport

, a provider of business aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul services, is spreading its wings at Augusta Regional Airport in Georgia.

Site preparation work has begun for a new, 80,500-square-foot hangar and engine shop at 1150 Hangar Rd., adjacent to the airport.

The $33-million expansion project, to be completed in 2025, will add more than 60 per cent of new space to the company’s existing footprint and allow it to support large-cabin aircraft.

Approximately 425 aircraft and 500 turbine aircraft engines undergo maintenance, repair and operations (MRO) service each year at the current facility, at 1550 Hangar Rd. The structure is being built by local firms and will create about 100 construction jobs in Richmond County.

A groundbreaking ceremony was held at the site of the new facility recently and attended by local dignitaries, including Augusta Mayor Garnett Johnson, as well as leaders from Georgia’s state government, airport brass and employees, and the Augusta Economic Development Authority.

Johnson says he is excited about the project and StandardAero’s continued investment in South Richmond County.

“As a small business owner and supporter of local business, I am proud that construction of the 80,500-square-foot facility will be conducted by local firms. This expansion will lead to increased economic impact, job creation, and career pathways for our youth.”

Chris Bodine, vice-president and general manager of StandardAero’s Augusta facility, says the new facility will add much-needed new space.

A groundbreaking ceremony was held at the site of the new facility recently and attended by local dignitaries, including Augusta Mayor Garnett Johnson, as well as leaders from Georgia's state government, airport brass and employees, and the Augusta Economic Development Authority. — COURTESY STANDARDAERO BUSINESS AVIATION — A groundbreaking ceremony was held at the site of the new facility recently and attended by local dignitaries, including Augusta Mayor Garnett Johnson, as well as leaders from Georgia’s state government, airport brass and employees, and the Augusta Economic Development Authority.

“The current facility was built in the 1970s, when aircraft were a lot smaller,” he notes. “The new facility will allow us to support additional super-mid-size to large-cabin aircraft for airframe and avionics while also significantly expanding our engine shop to further support many of those aircraft.”

The expansion includes hangar space for aircraft and avionics MRO work, an additional engine shop, offices, increased parking and more. It will also allow StandardAero – which is owned by global investment firm Carlyle – to work on larger aircraft.

Tony Brancato, president of StandardAero Business Aviation, says the Augusta Airport, City of Augusta and the State of Georgia have all been instrumental in supporting construction of the new facility.

“The expansion will allow us to work on larger Dassault, Gulfstream and Bombardier aircraft and also meet the rapidly growing MRO needs of HTF7000-series engine operators,” he says. “This is an exciting time for StandardAero and this expansion will allow us to grow and better serve our customers for the next 50 years.”

The state’s global commerce team worked on the project in partnership with the Augusta Economic Development Authority (AEDA) and Augusta Regional Airport.

To get the facility built, the airport and AEDA secured a grant for site preparation work and construction, and over a 10-year period the State of Georgia will apply job tax credits for incremental employees added to the site, plus additional incentives.

Herbert Judon Jr., executive director of the airport, says local officials are ecstatic about the expansion project.

“This project is the largest business development announcement in generations,” he says. “This expansion is a key building block for future airport growth. The expansion will not only generate significant regional economic impact, but it will also provide support to our efforts to educate local youth and increase workforce development.”

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp said in a statement StandardAero is a leader in both logistics and the aerospace industry and the state is proud to see the expansion get underway.

“Our state was ranked as a top five exporter of aerospace products in the U.S. in 2023 and looks forward to working with StandardAero and the rest of Georgia’s aerospace industry to maintain that success.”

StandardAero has been operating in Augusta since 1974 and currently supports more than 170 jobs in the area. Approximately 425 aircraft and 500 turbine aircraft engines undergo MRO service each year at the facility.

Georgia Department of Economic Development commissioner Pat Wilson said StandardAero is one of the state’s companies that is making a global impact.

“Georgia exported $11.1 billion of aerospace products in 2023 alone,” he notes. “This includes products sent to Augusta for repair and maintenance before being shipped to international customers.

“We are excited that StandardAero will continue to be part of Georgia’s economic vitality, and congratulations to Augusta and Richmond County for creating an additional 90 new long-term jobs for Georgians.”

A new, 2,000-square-foot expansion recently extended the terminal at the airport by a few feet further onto the tarmac.

About $3 million in federal funding had been secured earlier to reconfigure the terminal to accommodate two passenger bridges that can connect with more conventional passenger jetliners.